Lackeyed Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐งโ๐ผ
lackeyed
[หlรฆk.i ]
Definition
servant role
A lackey is a servant or follower who is overly submissive or obedient to their employer or master. This term carries a negative connotation, implying that the person does not have their own agency and is catering to another's whims. While often associated with domestic help, it can also refer to any individual who unquestioningly carries out another's orders, especially in a servile manner. In literature and media, lackeys are frequently depicted as accomplices to villains or corrupt figures.
Synonyms
follower, minion, servant, sycophant, toady.
Examples of usage
- The villain's lackey carried out all his dirty work.
- In the movie, she played the role of a loyal lackey.
- He acted like a lackey, always eager to please his boss.
Translations
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Origin of 'lackeyed'
The term 'lackey' comes from the Middle French word 'laquais', which referred to a footman or a male servant. The word has roots in the Old French word 'laquet', initially meaning โa young servantโ. Its etymological origins relate to 'lacer', meaning to bind or tie, suggesting a servile or subservient role. Historically, lackeys were often characterized by their distinctive livery or uniforms, making them easily identifiable as servants. Over time, the word evolved to encapsulate not just a physical role but also the associated behavior of subservience and readiness to comply without question. Its usage in the modern era extends beyond literal servants to denote any individual who behaves in a sycophantic manner in relation to authority figures.